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The federal government will pay more than a billion dollars to forty-one American Indian tribes to settle a long-standing dispute. The tribes argue federal agencies mismanaged their assets and natural resources.

The settlements resolve claims dating back more than a century to the Dawes Act, which gave Indian land to white-owned companies. Each Indian family was assigned a plot of land to use, and was to be "compensated" in perpetuity for the use of the rest of their land. Tribes never received the money owed to them.

Ute Mountain Ute Tribal Chairman Gary Hayes told reporters Wednesday all tribes have a dark chapter of history with the federal government.

"We remember our history of our people and draw from their strength and their prayers to overcome the trials and tribulations that we face today," Hayes said. "The seeds that we plant today will profit us in the future."

Hayes said the settlement money will go to improve the tribes’ infrastructure and health care after decades of inadequate funding.

Attorney General Eric Holder says the settlements bring closure to long, fruitless litigation that has burdened tribes and the federal government for too long.

"All of them address major sources of distrust and division between tribes and the US allowing us to move forward to support and to empower to empower tribal nations," Holder said.

Holder said his staff continues to negotiate with other tribes. But that this week’s agreement is a significant milestone in the improvement of the United States' relationship with Indian tribes.